The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling for the introduction of tax incentives to encourage workplace training.

According to a survey of around 600 small business owners, over 70 per cent confirmed that they were in favour of the introduction of tax incentives to encourage employees without professional qualifications to continue training.

The FSB believes that a number of obstacles to further development can present themselves, including regulations, bureaucracy and the day-to-day operation of a small business.

"Owners of smaller businesses are highly capable individuals whose knowledge and skills are a tremendous resource," said Nick Goulding, chief executive of the FSB.

"They are eager to pass on their knowledge . and the government ought to be capitalising on this," he added.